Everton v Newcastle
Comments (7)
Regarding the much-hyped acquisition of Alan Smith, does anybody feel that we are really in with a chance of pipping Newcastle to his signature? We are both massive clubs with great traditions, excellent managers and with the potential to be one of England´s top clubs yet they will undoubtedly offer Smith £20k a week in wages more than us and have the means to attract top talent whereas we don't.
Over the last few years there have been several examples where players have chosen them over us; Scott Parker, Emre, Micheal Owen, Nicky Butt, maybe even Barton? I hope to see Everton buck this frustrating trend sooner rather than later. Is it only the lure of extra dosh that attracts players to Newcastle or is there something I'm missing?
Robert Prince,
Seville Posted 01/08/2007 at 17:02:59
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Andrew McDonnell
Posted 01/08/2007 at 20:09:06
I don’t think you’re missing much, but then neither will we be if he chooses to go to Newcastle.
The players you cite are indicative of "top talent" who chase huge wages over all other factors. I’m not deriding players trying to get their share of their market value, but how many of the players you cite have come close to achieving their potential on the pitch? You could leave Owen to one side seeing how much he’s missed through injury, but the others are a salutory tale of what happens when personal terms are a player’s main criterion when choosing their club.
Now, it may be that Newcastle will begin to fulfil some of their potential on the pitch under Allardyce, but despite heavily outspending us we have arguably outperformed them by some degree over the last few years.
Their midfield is laden with natural talent, but talent that is atrophying - how many of them would we swap for Cahill or Arteta - even for lesser lights like Carsley?
Would I like us to be able to spend more overall? Of course. But does the ability to offer top wages mean quality on the pitch? Not always. It’s one factor, but can be more damaging than helpful if it’s the main reason a player wants to play for you.
I feel we still, by and large, attract good players who want to play in a tight knit unit who play for one another - and that’s often worth a lot more to a team.
I hope Smith does join us - he’s not perfect but would add a little quality and plenty of presence from which Johnson could profit. And if he does come to us, unlike Parker, we’ll know that football is as much a part of his motivation as finance.
Gav Jones
Posted 01/08/2007 at 20:27:41
I think he’ll join us if we bother to make an offer which it doesn’t look like we will do until the Beattie deal is done. We’re in the UEFA Cup this season and Smith must realise he will start more games here than he would at Newcastle. Hopefully anyway.
paul gladwell
Posted 01/08/2007 at 20:42:26
The word in the directors box last night was baines will sign by saturday and smith is 50/50 his agent is the sticking point , which means we are probably offering £30 0000 a week less than them horrible geordie fuckers so he wont be coming here then.
wes b
Posted 01/08/2007 at 21:22:42
ahhh the premier league, the place where money talks, no major loss if he wants to be a money grabbing scum, let him join the barcodes, I wont be shedding a tear when watching the mighty blues compete in europe
vaughan and ani are showing true potential anyhow
Nick Entwistle
Posted 01/08/2007 at 22:37:04
Newcastle massive? Not on our par and MAY just get away with being called big.
Their history is minor and their reputation is based on no more than 5 or 6 seasons of competitive Prem finishes, some of which with admittedly some of the most entertaining cavalier football seen anywhere in the world.
Playing in front of 50,000 is impressive, but its a team of mercenaries where mid table is to be expected.
In the grand scheme of things, there’s 20+ clubs who could argue a bigger status.
If a player would rather play for them instead of us, then he would have been a wrong signing anyway.
roy coyne
Posted 02/08/2007 at 00:16:43
I was in Newcastle today and the fans I was chatting to want us to get Smith as hes nasty this from a club that’s got Barton
Neil Lambert
Posted 02/08/2007 at 08:47:24
The news that Cahill will not play until November will necessitate stumping up the extra £10,000 per week,smith is angling for.If Beattie is to move on,Everton are being asked to stump up £1.5M in severance pay to him which means only a net £2.5M coming in.Believe me,wages are the major issue in getting players to come here-and that situation is unlikely to improve ant time soon!
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1 Posted 01/08/2007 at 20:09:06
The players you cite are indicative of "top talent" who chase huge wages over all other factors. I’m not deriding players trying to get their share of their market value, but how many of the players you cite have come close to achieving their potential on the pitch? You could leave Owen to one side seeing how much he’s missed through injury, but the others are a salutory tale of what happens when personal terms are a player’s main criterion when choosing their club.
Now, it may be that Newcastle will begin to fulfil some of their potential on the pitch under Allardyce, but despite heavily outspending us we have arguably outperformed them by some degree over the last few years.
Their midfield is laden with natural talent, but talent that is atrophying - how many of them would we swap for Cahill or Arteta - even for lesser lights like Carsley?
Would I like us to be able to spend more overall? Of course. But does the ability to offer top wages mean quality on the pitch? Not always. It’s one factor, but can be more damaging than helpful if it’s the main reason a player wants to play for you.
I feel we still, by and large, attract good players who want to play in a tight knit unit who play for one another - and that’s often worth a lot more to a team.
I hope Smith does join us - he’s not perfect but would add a little quality and plenty of presence from which Johnson could profit. And if he does come to us, unlike Parker, we’ll know that football is as much a part of his motivation as finance.